Apparatus for photoelectrically sensing message records



Sept. 11, 1956 L. J. SCHEWE 2,762,931

APPARATUS FOR PHOTOELECTRICALLY SENSING MESSAGE RECORDS Filed March 3,1953 INVENTOR LAWRENCE J. SCHEWE ATTORNEY United States Patent APPARATUSFOR PHOTOELE'CTRICALLY SENSING MESSAGE RECORDS Lawrence J. Schewe, DesPlaines, Ill., assignor to Teletype Corporation, Chicago, Ill., acorporation of Delaware Application March 3, 1953, Serial No. 340,036

16 Claims. (Cl. 250-219) This invention relates to apparatus forphotoelectricallv sensing message records and more particularly tophotoelectric sensing devices for positively ascertaining the presenceof indicia formed in a record wherein said indicia comprisespermutations of lidded apertures.

In many telegraph installations apparatuses such as printers,reperforators and transmitters are controlled or actuated in accordancewith pennutatively arranged perforations formed in a tape. Perforatorsand reperforators have been designed to punch perforations in a tapewith out completely removing sections from the tape but rather thesedevices sever the tape so that the severed sections remain attached tothe body of the tape. The uncut or junction portion of the severedsection serves as a hinge, thus there are formed in the tape hinged lidscovering the perforations which are adapted to yield to the pressure ofsensing pins contained in standard telegraph sensing devices. A salientadvantage of this type of message tape resides in the facility withwhich printed characters can be placed over the lids. Due to thepresence of the lids covering the perforations, these message tapes arenot readily adapted for use in photelectric sensing devices.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide photoelectricsensing devices for rapidly and positively sensing message tape havinglidded apertures.

It is another object of this invention to provide a photoelectric tapesensor having means for engaging and holding the lids covering aperturesin a raised position during a sensing operation.

Another and more finite object of the invention resides in a means forlifting the lids covering apertures and then providing means for holdingthe lids in a raised position to permit the passage of light through theexposed apertures.

Additional features of the invention reside in the provision of severaltypes of members for engaging and holding previously raised lids in anelevated position which are brought into operation in timed relation tothe operation of a tape advancing mechanism.

With these and other objects in view the present invention contemplatesa tape feeding device for feeding a tape having permutations of liddedapertures therein past a photoelectric sensing station. As the tapeapproaches the sensing station, spring elements raise the lids coveringeach aperture to permit a holding device to engage, advance, and holdthe raised lids in an elevated position. The holding device is operatedto advance at a speed greater than the speed of the advance of the tape,consequently the holding device further raises the lids to completelyexpose the apertures thereunder. One form of holding device hasapertures formed therein to register with the exposed apertures whensaid apertures are positioned in the sensing station. The carrier forthe holding device is also provided with apertures in register with theapertures in the holding device. At the sensing station a light sourceprojects light through the aligned apertures formed in the carrier, theholding device, and

in the tape and onto a bank of photocells connected in a control circuitwithin any suitable type of telegraph apparatus.

Attention is directed to the patent of R. D. Slayton, No. 2,667,535wherein subject matter is shown relating to other methods and apparatusas for photoelectrically sensing tape having lidded apertures formedtherein.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following detailed description when considered in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a photoelectric sensing deviceillustrating one embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the photoelectric sensing deviceshown in Fig. 1 including the details of a driving mechanism for thedevice,

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of a lid lifter comprising analternative embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the lid lifter shown in Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating another form of lid lifter,and

Fig. 6 is a perspective View of an alternative lifter comprising afurther embodiment of the invention.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 there is disclosed a message tape or preform10 having permutatively formed therein code combinations which arecomprised of perforations or apertures 11 having lids 12 normallycovering the perforations. The tapes having the permutations of liddedapertures formed therein may be perforated by a punch device such asdisclosed in the patent to I. L. DeBoo, No. 2,545,198, dated March 13,1951. As described in that patent, feed holes, such as designated by thereference numeral 13, are also formed in the tape and have lids coveringthe holes.

- Referring more specifically to Fig. 2 there is disclosed a wheel 14having a great number of evenly spaced feed pins radially extending fromits outer peripheral surface. Feed wheel 14 is mounted on a shaft 17having keyed or otherwise secured thereto a gear 18 adapted to be drivenby a constantly rotating pinion 19. The feed pins 16 are adapted toengage the feed holes 13 and continuously advance the tape 10 towardsthe left as viewed in Fig. 2. Positioned within the path of eachlongitudinal row of perforations for-med in the tape 10 is a springelement 21 mounted on any suitable rigid support or frame and adapted tosuccessively raise the lids 12 as the tape 10 is advanced.

Gear 18 meshes with a pinion 22 fixed to a rotatably mounted shaft 23.The radiuses of the gear 18 and pinion 22 in the illustrated example ofthe invention are selected so that the angular velocity of the pinion 22is approximately three times the angular velocity of the gear 18.Affixed to the shaft 23 is a drum or carrier 24 having mounted on itsouter peripheral surface a plurality of series of evenly spaced holdingdevices consisting of spring metal lifters 26. Each of the lifters as isprcvided with an elongated slot 27 which is in register with an aperture28 formed in the drum The number of series of spring lifters is equal toapproximately /3 the number of feed pins 16. Positioned intermediate theshafts 17 and 23 and within the drum 24 is a plurality of light sources29 equal in number to the number of apertures in each series oftransversely positioned apertures 28. Positioned beneath the tape 16 andin register with each longitudinal row of lidded apertures 1.1 is aphoto electric cell 31 which may be of any type such as aphotoconductive cell, photovoltaic cell, or photoemissive cell. All thatis necessary is that these cells be sensitive to light and be capable ofvarying the characteristics of an electrical circuit connected to anydesired piece of equipment.

In operation of this embodiment of the invention, the tape is steppedalong by the feed pins 16 engaging the lidded feed holes 13. As the tapeadvances, the spring elements 21 successively raise the lids 12 into thepath of moving lifters 26 because said elements are normally biased to aposition wherein rounded ends thereof project above the plane of thetape 10. Simultaneous with the advance of the tape 10, the drum 24 isrotated and as previously indicated the drum 24 rotates at a greaterangular velocity than the feed wheel 14, hence the lifters 26 rotate ata greater linear velocity than the linear velocity of the tape 10. Eachseries of lifters 26 is so positioned on the drum 24 so as to engage thelids 12 while said lids are being held in the elevated position by thespring elements 21. Subsequent to the engagement of a series of springlifters 26 with a series of lids 12, the spring lifters 26 move relativeto the tape 10 and manifestly the lids 12 are further raised. Thisrelative movement continues until the exposed apertures 11 arepositioned in alignment with the light source 29 and the photocell 31 atwhich point the lids 12 are held in a substantially vertical position tocompletely expose the apertures 11.

It is to be noted that in the illustrated structure the drum rotatesthree times as fast as the feed wheel but there are only one third thenumber of series of lid lifters 26 as there are feed pins 16 on the feedwheel, consequently as each feed pin passes through the sensingposition, only one lid lifter passes through the sensing position. It isto be realized that the described ratio of angular velocities and theratio of the number of pins to the number of series of lid lifters aresimply illustrative and many other ratios may be selected to permit thesimultaneous passage of a pin 16 and a series of lid lifters 26 throughthe sensing position.

Inasmuch as there are apertures 28 formed in the drum 24 and apertures27 formed in the lifters 26 which are also in ali nment with the lightsources 29 and photocells 31., the result is that the photocells 31 areenergized in a pattern determined by the permutation of exposedapertures 11 positioned in the sensing position. Following each sensingoperation, tape 10 continues to ad vance and the spring lifters 26 arewithdrawn from the lids 12. The tape is advanced to present the raisedlids 12 to a smoothing element 32 having a rounded forward edge whichmoves the lids back into position to cover the apertures 11. The tape 10is now restored to the condition existing previous to the sensingoperation.

Referring now to Fig. 3, there is shown an alternative lid lifter whichcan be used with equal facility in the sensing device shown in Figs. 1and 2. In this instance the lid lifter comprises an elongated body 36 oftransparent material. The body of transparent material is ground andshaped to provide five projections 37 of a truncated pyramidal formwhich are adapted to be in alignment with the longitudinal rows ofapertures formed in the tape 10. A drum or carrier 38 (see Fig. 4)similar to drum 24 shown in Fig. 2 is provided with a transverse slot 39over which the body 36 of transparent material is mounted. Each of theprojections 37 is provided with a lip 46 extending from its frontlateral faces. A relatively wide notch 41 is formed in the body 36 inorder to accommodate therein the feed pins 16. The projections 37together with the lips 40 form lifters which are the equivalent of thelifters 27 shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The feeding mechanism together with the spring elements 21 are againutilized in conjunction with the lid lifters 3740 and manifestly themode of operation of a device utilizing lifters shown in Figs. 3 and 4is substantially the same as that described in relation to the operationof the device shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and thus a detailed repetitivedescription is deemed unwarranted.

The lateral faces of the projections 37 can be coated with an opaquesubstance so that the light from a light source 42 would be concentratedon the area of the exposed apertures 11 to be sensed. It is alsofeasible to optically grind the projections 37 to form lenses whichwould project a spot of light onto the exposed apertures 11 in thesensing position.

Referring now to Fig. 5, there is shown a drum or carrier 46, similar todrum 24 shown in Fig. 2, having transverse elongated slots 47 formedtherein. Attached to the drum 46 and positioned forward of the slot 47is an angle bar or blade 48 provided with a notch 49 to accommodatetherein the feed pins 16 of a feed wheel 14 such as shown in Fig. 2.

In operation of the device shown in Fig. 5 the lids 12 are again raisedby spring elements 21 whereupon one of the angular bars 48 is broughtinto position to engage the raised lids 12 and as the tape advances thelids are further raised until the sensing station is reached. In thesensing station, the slot 47 is positioned in register with the exposedapertures 11 in the tape, the photocells 31 and the light source 29 sothat a photoelectric sensing operation may be performed.

Attention is directed to Fig. 6 wherein another type of lid lifter isdisclosed. In this embodiment the lid lifter takes the form of a stiffresilient wire 51 fabricated in the configuration shown. The wire 51 isbent to provide a recessed portion 52 to accommodate therein the feedpins 16. Again as in Fig. 5 a drum or carrier 46 having transverse slots47 is provided.

In operation of this device the wire 51 engages, raises, and holds thelids 12 in an elevated position to permit the performance of aphotoelectric sensing operation in a manner substantially the same asthat described in the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 5.

It is to be understood that the above described arrangements ofapparatus and construction of elemental parts are simply illustrative ofthe principles of the invention and many other modifications may be madewithout departing from the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus for photoelectrically sensing permutations of liddedapertures formed in a message tape, means for advancing the tape to asensing station, a first means for raising the lids prior to advancementto the sensing station, a carrier, means for moving the carrier at aspeed greater than that of the advancing tape, and a second means on thecarrier for engaging and further raising the lids as the lids areadvanced to the sensing station.

2. In an apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said second meanscomprises a plurality of L-shaped members extending from the carrierhaving slots formed in engaging legs of the L-shaped members.

3. In a apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said second meanscomprises a body of transparent material having a plurality ofprojections formed thereon, a lip extending from the lateral forwardface of each projection for contacting the lids.

4. In an apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said second meanscomprises a blade member secured to and laterally extending from theface of the carrier.

5. In an apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said second meanscomprises a resilient wire having upturned ends which are attached tothe face of the carrier.

6. In an apparatus for sensing an apertured preform wherein eachaperture is provided with a hinged lid, means for projecting light ontothe preform, a first means for raising the lids, a second means forfurther raising the lids without substantially obstructing the passageof light through the exposed apertures, and means for sensing the lightpassed through the exposed apertures.

7. In a device for sensing tape having a successive series ofpermutatively arranged lidded apertures, a first means for successivelyraising the lids in each series of permutatively arranged liddedapertures, a second means 5 for engaging and further raising thepreviously raised lids to substantially expose the complete apertures,means for projecting light through the exposed apertures, and means forphotoelectrically sensing the light passed through each successivepermutation of exposed apertures.

8. In an apparatus for sensing an apertured preform wherein eachaperture is provided with a flexible lid, a feed wheel adapted toadvance the preform, a drum, means for rotating the drum relative to thefeed wheel, means for raising the lids, and means on the drum forfurther raising the raised lids as the preform is advanced to exposesubstantially the complete apertures.

9. In an apparatus for photoelectrically sensing a tape havingpermutations of lidded apertures formed therein, means for advancing thetape through a sensing position, a carrier moved by and relative to theadvancing means, means for raising the lids as the tape is advanced to--ward the sensing position, means mounted on the carrier for holding thelids in the raised position as the tape passes through the sensingposition to substantially expose the complete apertures, and means formoving lids back into position to cover the apertures after the tapeleaves the sensing position.

10. In an apparatus for photoelectrically sensing preforms havingpermutations of lidded apertures formed therein, said preform having aseries of evenly spaced feed holes formed therein, a feed wheel having aplurality of evenly spaced radially extending pins, actuating means forrotating the feed wheel to successively position the pins within andthrough the feed holes to advance the preform, a carrier moved by theactuating means at a speed greater than the speed of the advancingpreform, means for raising the lids covering each successive permutationof lidded apertures, and a plurality of members extending from thecarrier for engaging and further raising the lids as the preform isadvanced to a sensing position. said members being provided withrecessed portions to accommodate therein the feed wheel pins whichextend through the preform.

11. In an apparatus for sensing permutations of lidded apertures in atape, said tape having a longitudinal row of evenly spaced feed holesformed therein, a feed wheel having a plurality of feed pins forengaging the tape within the feed holes, means adapted to raise the lidswhen the tape is advanced, a drum, a plurality of sets of lid liftersattached to the drum, means for driving the feed wheel to advance thetape to cause the raising means to raise the lids, and means for drivingthe drum at a faster speed to cause the sets of lid lifters to furtherraise the lids until said tape passes a sensing position between saiddrum and said feed wheel, the ratio of the number of pins on the feedwheel to the number of sets of lid lifters being equal to the ratio ofthe angular velocity of each set of lid lifters to the angular velocityof the pins on the feed wheel whereby a set of lid lifters and a pinsimultaneously pass through the sensing position.

12. In an apparatus for sensing permutations of lidded apertures formedin a tape, means for advancing the tape to a sensing station, means forraising the lids as the tape approaches the sensing station, a drumhaving a plurality of slots formed therein, a set of transparent lifterspositioned over each of the slots, means for rotating the drum at aspeed greater than the speed of the advancing tape whereby the sets oflifters successively engage and further raise the lids to expose theapertures as the tape advances to the sensing station, a light source atthe sensing station for projecting light through the transparent liftersand the exposed apertures, and means for sensing the projected lightpassed through the exposed apertures.

13. In an apparatus for sensing permutations of lidded apertures formedin a tape, means for advancing the tape to a sensing station, means forraising the lids as the c approaches the sensing station, a carrier,means for driving the carrier at a speed greater than the speed of theadvancing tape, a plurality of sets of transparent lifting elementsextending from the carrier, each of said sets of lifting elementsadapted to engage and hold the lids in a. position as the tape passesthrough the sensing station, a light source at the sensing station forprojecting light through the lifting elements and the apertures, anopaque coating on the lateral surfaces of the extending lifting elementsfor concentrating the light on the aper tures, and means in the sensingstation for sensing the concentrated light projected through theapertures.

M. in an apparatus for sensing permutations of lidded apertures formedin a tape, means for advancing the tape, means for successively raisingeach permutation of lids, a drum, a plurality of sets of liftersextending from the drum, each lifter comprising a shank portionterminating in a laterally directed portion spaced from the drum, eachlaterally directed portion having an aperture formed therein, said drumhaving apertures formed therein which are in alignment with theapertures formed in the litters, and means for rotating the drum at afaster rate than the rate of advance of the tape whereby the liftersfurther raise the lids to align the apertures in the drum and iifterswith the apertures in the tape.

15. In an apparatus for sensing sets of lidded apertures formed in atape, means for advancing the tape, means for raising the lids coveringeach successive set of lidded apertures, a carrier, a plurality ofmembers extending from the face of the carrier to span each set oflidded apertures, said carrier having an enlongated slot formed thereinin close proximity to each extending member, and means for moving thecarrier at a greater speed than the speed of the advancing tape wherebyeach extending member engages and further raises each set of raised lidsas the tape advances, each of said slots being successively positionedin register with each successive set of apertures having raised lids.

16. In an apparatus for sensing a preform having transverse rows ofpermutatively arranged apertures, a hinged lid provided for eachaperture, means for initially engaging and raising the lids, opticallyground lens means for further raising the lids to expose the aperturestherebeneath, means for projecting light onto the lens means wherebysaid lens means converge the light and project it through the exposedapertures, and means for sensing the light projected through the exposedapertures.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

